United
States in Second Place Halfway Through Team Dressage at
Pan American Games

Santo
Domingo, DRAugust 6, 2003At the conclusion of the
first day of the Prix St. George Dressage Team competition on
Wednesday, it looks like a North American battle for Gold between
the United States and Canada at the 2003 Pan American Games in
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The
United States Equestrian Team received a credible score of 131.600,
but the combined results of Kristina Harrison-Naness of Burbank,
CA, riding Kantor and Carol Lavell on Much Ado, were not good
enough for the top spot. Canadas Ashley Holzer with Gambol,
and Evi Strasser aboard Quantum Tyme, gave their team the leading
score of 134.150. Mexico currently stands third with a combined
score of 122.350.

Individually,
the U.S. also needs to make up some ground in order to capture
the Gold Medal. Lavell, of Loxahatchee, FL, stands in second place
with a score of 66.800%. Holzer leads with a score of 67.650%
and Strasser is third with a score of 66.500%.

Lavell and Much Ado had a lot to overcome even before they started
the test. The skies opened up as the pair entered the ring and
the rain did not let up until after the test was over, but the1992
Olympic Team Bronze medalist took it all in stride.

The
hardest part about the rain was that it was getting harder to
stay in the saddle, said Lavell. I didnt know
I was wet until the end of the ride.

Lavell
thought To Do as her Dutch Warmblood is called around
the barn, did well, but she feels he can do better.

I
wanted a good steady test, said Lavell. Our job was
to get a good team score and I think we did, at least I hope we
did. We have two good horses going tomorrow, so well see.

The
other U.S. rider Kristina Harrison-Naness of Burbank, CA, currently
holds the fifth spot with a score of 64.80%. Riding Kantor, the
pair went early in the day and missed the rain, but not the heat.
Harrison-Naness was still thrilled with her experience at the
Pan Ams.

Its
a dream to be here, said Harrison-Naness. My family
came here last night, including my 86-year-old grandma. It was
so exciting and my horse went so well. I was really pleased with
the whole ride.

As Harrison-Naness dismounted after her ride, a silver dollar
fell from her jacket pocket.

Dont
lose that! My daughter, Rison, gave me that silver dollar for
luck, said the 32-year-old mom. The tooth fairy gave her
two and she gave me one to carry in my jacket pocket.

Maybe the U.S. riders competing on Thursday should carry one too.

Held
over two days, due to the increased number of entries, the Prix
St. George dressage competition that determines the team medal
concludes on Thursday at the Palmarejito Equestrian Centre with
U.S. rider Pierre St. Jacques of Boscawen, NH, on Lucky Tiger
owned by St. Jacques and Lisa Belcastro and Jan Ebeling of Moorpark,
CA who will ride Feliciano, owned by New Horizons Dressage, LLC.

The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization
that selects, trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest
possible standard to represent our country in major international
competition, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships.
To accomplish this, the USET seeks out and nurtures the development
of talented athletes - riders, drivers and horses - and provides
the support and guidance they need to help them attain their fullest
potential. For more information on the USET, please call (908)
234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org